Heads and Paws of Lions
n.d.
Watercolor and graphite on tan wove paper
19.2 × 12.3 cm (7.6 × 4.8 in)
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Not currently on view
In the collection of Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago · as of July 2026
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FROM THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO’S CATALOG
While Delacroix never completed classical academy training, the practice of drawing from three-dimensional sculptural fragments stayed with him. He sketched details for future paintings like these from live caged animals as well as from dissected cadavers. Delacroix’s friend and fellow artist Antoine-Louis Barye even used casts of animal parts for his monochrome bronzes. In contrast, Delacroix’s touches of color increase the liveliness of these isolated images.
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